1. What is the easiest way to get a Singapore work visa?

Your employer will be doing most of the administrative work

The most hassle-free way to get a long term visa to Singapore is to secure employment with a Singapore registered company for an Employment Pass (EP). The EP may also be known as an ‘EP Pass’. The more well-established the company, the better. This will most likely guarantee you no headaches as your employer will be processing all the work required to secure you a 2-year (maximum of 5) EP.

Do you meet the minimum salary requirements for EP?

There are several minimum requirements, such as a minimum monthly employment pass salary, which can be found on MOM’s website. The minimum salary for EP is $3,600 Singapore Dollars per month.

The EP can only be processed by an employer, thus you will need to have secured a job in Singapore before moving to Singapore.

Take note of the documents required for the Singapore EP application, which includes copies of passport details, and educational certificates. It may be handy to keep an electronic copy of these with you at all times. The other documents are listed here.

How to apply for the employment pass in Singapore?

The way to apply for an employment pass in Singapore depends if you’re an employee or an employer.

If you’re an employee, you must first secure a job offer from your employer. The employer will then proceed to take care of the administrative matters. Your employer will also be asking you for the necessary documents, so do prepare those in advance. The documents required for an EP Singapore includes:

2. What if my salary does not meet the Employment Pass minimum salary?

You might consider applying for a Special Pass (S Pass) instead to work in Singapore.

If you are a skilled technician with advanced expertise in industries such as chemicals, electronics, aerospace engineering, marine, or pharmaceuticals, the S Pass might be a better visa for you to work in Singapore.

3. What if I haven’t found a job in Singapore yet?

Think of the PEP as a VIP way to work in Singapore. It is much harder to secure, but if you do, you enjoy more perks.

The PEP demands a minimum monthly salary of 18,000 SGD and an outstanding employment history in Singapore’s developing industries. In return, you can enjoy employment freedom and flexibility because this work visa is personally yours, and not bound to your employer. Thus, you may swap employers as often as you like.

However, one drawback is that application has to be done by the individual. But you can always look for visa agencies to do the work for you. Back to top

4. What if I want to start my own business in Singapore?

If you are looking to be your own boss in Singapore, you can consider the Entrepreneur Pass (Entrepass).

Entrepass holders must be able to demonstrate an entrepreneurial, investment or business track record, such as previously founded companies or other important accomplishments.

Singapore has recently laxed the requirements in 2017 such that paid-up capital is no longer required. However, to secure an Entrepass you must plan to start, or have already founded a company that is innovative and would contribute to Singapore’s employment.

Founded companies must be registered within 6 months after Entrepass approval, and no less than 30% of shares must be held by yourself.The EntrePass has a rather short lifespan of one year, but can be repeatedly renewed for 2 years.

Note: Businesses such as hawker centres, bars, massage parlours, or employment agencies are not eligible for an Entrepass.Back to top

5. What if I am just looking to invest in Singapore?

If you are a high-net individual seeking potential permanent residency for you and your family, instead of working in Singapore, the Investor Visa is a possible option.

To obtain an Investor Visa, you are required to make an investment of $2.5 million SGD into either a new/existing company or into a special fund under Singapore’s Global Investor Programme (GIP). There are other requirements as well, including financial statements of your own company from the last 3 years to demonstrate entrepreneurial success and a turnover of at least $50 million SGD. This must be a company where 30% of shares or more is owned by you.

Applicants who intend to invest in a new/existing company instead of a GIP fund must produce a 5-year business plan, carry it out, and present audited statements after the second and fourth year.Back to top

6. Can I bring my spouse, children, parents or other family members to Singapore with a Dependant Pass?

If you’ve considered Singapore’s high cost of living and decide to bring your family with you, there are two main options: the Dependent Pass(DP) and Long Term Visit Pass (LTVP).

7. What are the available jobs for Dependant Pass holders in Singapore?

Dependent pass holders are not bound to any specific jobs in Singapore.

However, employers tend to avoid the hassle of hiring dependant pass holders. To address this, make sure you know all about the employer’s obligations to reassure them that there is no hassle after all.

All one needs to do to go to work as a dependent is apply for a Letter of Consent from MOM. Note that the MOM website seems to lack information about the criteria used to grant a Letter of Consent. However, generally speaking, if you can find a job, you will simply be granted the letter once your employer applies for the Letter of Consent.

Some employers understand that the DP term is tied to the spouse’s EP term, which may or may not be renewed. It can’t be helped that employers want an employee that’s in for the long haul. It may be advisable to seek for jobs that have a high turnover rate, such as the foodservice industry.

A helpful resource to find job leads would be Career Centres for expatriates in Singapore, such as the Career Resource Center for Expatriates (CREC).Back to top

8. How do I bring in my parents and relatives if they don’t meet the Dependant Pass criteria?

9. What pass should I get for my children who are above 21 years old?

If your children is above 21, then they need to apply for LTVP too if they do not intend to work in Singapore. If they intend to work in Singapore then they should embark on an application for a separate EP/PEP/S Pass/EntrePass independent of their parents’ passes.

10. Can DP holders work in Singapore?

For DP holders to work in Singapore, the dependant would require a Letter of Consent, which is only available for dependants of EP, Entrepass or PEP holders. Dependants of S Pass holders must apply for a Work Permit, S Pass or EP instead.

12. Can pass holders start a family in Singapore?

13. How do I apply for a Permanent Residence (PR) in Singapore?

EP/PEP/S Pass/Entrepass holders are eligible to convert to a Permanent Resident (PR), through submitting salary slips from their past 6 months of working in Singapore after at least one year of working in Singapore.

The PR status is automatically granted to investors and their families when they make the minimum investment of SGD 2.5 million.

The perks of the PR status causes even the most premium employment visa to pale in comparison. Affordable housing and healthcare, better education for kids and business freedom are just some of the many perks that the PR enjoys.

What is a Permanent Resident in Singapore?

A migratory solution that empowers foreign employees and entrepreneurs to live indefinitely in the country of Singapore, the permanent resident visa allows them to avail the benefits and freedom enjoyed by the citizens of the country. It enables access to better healthcare, freedom to do business and freedom of employment, access to the Central provident fund, education and so on. It is one of the prime aims of the holders of the Employment Pass, S Pass and Entre Pass.

The Benefits of Permanent Residence (PR) In Singapore

Amongst the many benefits of the PR status, you will enjoy stability of residence, simplified traveling to and fro Singapore, gain the ability to sponsor family members for PR, more employment rewards, lower medical expenses, lower childcare and education expenses, the right to live off retirement years in the country, and cheaper real estate and housing. We also discuss whether the PR status is really worth it in a separate post.

The cons of a PR status

However, there are downsides to every upside and the cons of a PR status includes mandatory contribution to the Central Provident Fund (CPF), restriction from dual citizenship, mandatory National Service, and CPF withdrawal limitations. The full list is explained more thoroughly in our other post about the pros and cons of a PR status.

CONCLUSION

Visa Types

Who is it For?

Minimum Monthly Salary (MMS)

Validity Term

Renewable?

Eligibility to bring Family:

Family Pass Type
(Dependant's Pass)

Family Pass Type
(Long Term Visit Pass)

Can Pass Holder's Family Work in Singapore?

Employment Pass (EP)

Foreign professionals with a job offer in Singapore

> $3,600

2 years

Yes

MMS at least 6,000

Legal Spouse, Children under 21

Common-law spouse, Stepchildren below 21, Parents

Dependant's Pass - Yes, with a Letter of Consent

Long Term Visit Pass - No

S Pass

Mid-skilled technical staff

> $2,300

2 years

Yes

MMS at least 6,000

Legal Spouse, Children under 21

Dependant's Pass - No

Long Term Visit Pass - No

Personalised Employment Pass (PEP)

High-earning overseas foreign professionals

> $18,000

3 years

No

MMS at least 6,000

Legal Spouse, Children under 21

Common-law spouse, Stepchildren below 21, Parents

Dependant's Pass - Yes, with a Letter of Consent

Long Term Visit Pass - No

Entre Pass
(Spouse and Children Pass Only)

Foreign entrepreneurs who want to start and operate a new business in Singapore

No stipulated minimum salary

1 year

Yes

Total Annual Business Spending: >100,000 SGD

Employ: 3 FTEs or 1 PME

Legal Spouse, Children under 21

Dependant's Pass - Yes, with a Letter of Consent

Entre Pass
(With Parents Pass)

Foreign entrepreneurs who want to start and operate a new business in Singapore

No stipulated minimum salary

1 year

Yes

Total Annual Business Spending: >200,000 SGD

Employ: 6 FTEs or 2 PME

Legal Spouse, Children under 21

Common-law spouse, Stepchildren below 21, Parents

Dependant's Pass - Yes, with a Letter of Consent

Long Term Visit Pass - No

Note: Local FTEs refer to Singaporeans and Permanent Residents who earn a monthly salary of at least $1,200.
Local PMEs refer to professionals, managers and executives who are Singaporeans or Permanent Residents, earn a monthly salary of at least $3,600.

There are many reasons to consider working in Singapore, and after this article demystifies the type of work visa most suitable for you, why not consider a change in lifestyle now to one of the world’s best places to work in?

Curious to know how much it costs to relocate to Singapore with us? Get an estimate now!

A tech-loving millennial, hates coffee but loves tea, plays all sports but watches none, DJs but is tone-deaf, and also based in Singapore while endlessly craving the Char Kuay Teow back at home in Malaysia